The defamation law which will begin to be implemented from January 2006
has incited a serious debate among civil society in particular the media,
who feel that they will be greatly impacted by the law. The opposition
factions in the National Parliament have also expressed their
dissatisfaction, concerned that the law will kill democracy in this
country. With these concerns, the Timor-Leste Journalists Association (AJTL)
on Wednesday held a one-day workshop where a range of speakers who aired
their concerns on the law. Fr. Martinho Gusmão said that the law insults
the journalism profession, and that psychologically it will have an impact
on journalists' work because it will create fear in reporting. (TP, DT,
JND)

Indonesian Ambassador counters visa concerns

Indonesian Ambassador to Timor-Leste Ahmed Bey Sofwan says that he has
not heard of any Timorese students using tourist visas to study in
Indonesia. Responding to queries on the matter after meeting with
President Gusmão on Wednesday, Ambassador Sofwan said that there are
currently approximately 2,000 to 3,000 Timorese students studying in
Indonesia. He said that possibly these students first entered Indonesia on
tourist visas, but that it is not difficult for them to then get student
visas, once the student has registered at an educational institution. (TP)

Three Ambassadors present credentials to President Gusmão

President Gusmão on Wednesday received Letters of Credentials from the
Ambassadors to three countries, Poland, Singapore and New Zealand. The
President welcomed the credentials, praising the three Ambassadors and
their respective countries. He expressed his faith in the development of
good relations between Poland and Timor-Leste, praised Singapore's
commitment to bilateral assistance for Timor-Leste's development, and
expressed his appreciation for New Zealand's assistance in providing
scholarships to Timorese students. (STL, TP, DT)

President of Commission D of National Parliament threatened to resign

It is reported that President of Commission D of National Parliament
responsible for Agriculture, Fishery and Environment, Flavio da Silva,
threatened to resign partly due to the regret and unsatisfactory gesture
from his part over the hidden and one-sided decision of the Parliament's
Administration Department to cancel the visit of the Commission to Oecussi
District.

The official visit of the Commission to Oecussi, planned for 13
December, had been officially agreed by the plenary session and received
official permission from the President of National Parliament Francisco
Guterres "Lu-Olo" in accordance with the internal regiment. In
yesterday's plenary session, da Silva angrily expressed his anger in a
written note addressed to the President of Parliament, demanding him to
immediately look into the matter and find an alternative solution for it.

"If the case is not dealt with soon, then there will be no
solution. If in the future the condition continues as it is now, I will be
ready to resign from the post," da Silva said. In response to the
protest launched by his fellow parliamentarian, President Lu-olo said that
he appreciated the fact that Mr. da Silva openly and strongly expressed
his protest over the work of Parliament's Administration Department.
According to Lu-Olo, such protest will be able to improve the work-plan of
the visits of the Commissions, adding that as parliamentarians, they have
the obligation to strengthen the legislative institution in order to
function better and effectively in the future. (STL)

Lu-Olo appealed to MPs to consider TFC seriously and sincerely

President of National Parliament Francisco Guterres "Lu-Olo"
appealed to all MPs to consider the policy of Truth and Friendship
Commission in a serious and sincere manner. It is reported that the appeal
was made in relation to the political statement presented officially by
the President of Timor's People Party (PPT), Jacob Xavier in yesterday's
plenary session.

PPT's statement stated that those who demand that the United Nations
establish an international tribunal, means that they wish to have war
again with Indonesia, adding that if justice is put aside, then Timor-Leste
wants to create friendship with Indonesia in order to live in prosperity
in the future. "For us, as the people's representatives, it is
important that we analyse TFC's policy from various perspectives, "
Lu-Olo said. In addition, Lu-Olo said that since it is democracy, it will
be much better to create space for civil societies to express their
opinions on CTF. "Let them speak. Then, we will look into the matter
and consider how to make decisions in favour of the people's
interests." (STL)

Martins: Police intervene Timor Block Building due to security

PNTL Commander Paulo Fatima Martins said the police intervened against
lawyer Angelo Neves of NGO Advokasaun Tane Timor because of mobilising
people to enter a residential/property area without authorisation. Martins
said the tranquility of those living in the area was disrupted by the
workers and added that the detention of the lawyer was legal. "First
the police ordered the lawyer to leave the area, but he reacted against
the police, they thus had to take other measures to defend
themselves," the PNTL commander said. (STL)

Vice Minister, Barris: PNTL will establish another 15 border posts and
will recruit in Jan. 2006

Speaking after his meeting with the Commission B of the National
Parliament, Vice Minister of Interior, Alcino Barris, told media that as
of January 2006 PNTL will start a new recruitment process of police
officers in order to enhance the requirement of police personnel at the
border areas. It was also reported that apart from Vice Minister Alcino
Barros, the General Commandant of PNTL and the Director of Immigration
also attended the meeting. Meanwhile, TP reports Vice Minister Barris as
confirming that PNTL will also try to establish 15 border posts in the
regions of Suai, Maliana and Oecussi districts. (STL, TP)

TVTL News Headlines 21-12-2005

Ø CAVR Dissolved: The Commission for Reception, Truth and
Reconciliation (CAVR) has been dissolved. The Commission was officially
dissolved by President Xanana Gusmao and attended by members of
parliament, government and diplomatic corps. In his speech, President
Gusmao reportedly stated that the State will act transparently in regards
to the CAVR report and that nothing will be closed.

Ø CPD-RDTL does not want to be recognised as former combatants:
Speaking at a press conference held at CPD-RDTL's office in Balide, Dili,
on Wednesday, the group's coordinator, Antonio Aitahan Matak, told
journalists that his group does not need the Government to recognise them
as former combatants. More importantly, Matak added was to establish an
organic law that defends the rights of former combatants of the National
Liberation. He reaffirmed that as long as all components of RDTL remain
un-restored, his followers will neither register themselves at the
Commissions for Former Combatants Association nor the Commission for
Former Falintil veterans.

Ø Two Indonesians set free: Speaking to journalists recently in Dili,
the General Commander of PNTL Paulo Fatima Martins reportedly stated that
the two Indonesian citizens who were arrested in Batugade on suspicion of
terrorist affiliation have been released. Martins said that the two were
released after a joint investigation carried out by the Immigration
Department and Interpol that found no evidence against the men.

Ø Police acted because they disturbed others: Meanwhile, on the arrest
of two lawyers, Angelo Neves and Manuel Lay, Commander Paulo Fatima
Martins told journalists that they were arrested because they entered a
residential area without authorisation. He added that the two also
mobilised a mob to enter the residence, which disturbed the tranquillity.
Martins further affirmed that the police action was not in breach of the
law.

Ø Commission B of NP met Interior Ministry: The Commission B of the
National Parliament held a meeting with the Ministry of Interior to
discuss the border and police issues, TVTL reported on Wednesday. After
the meeting, the President of Commission B, Faustinho da Costa told
journalists that he was pleased with the explanation of the Interior
Ministry and that they would take improvement measures. The Vice-Minister
of Interior, Alcino Barris, meanwhile, told journalists that the Ministry
would welcome any complaints and suggestions to improve the police.

Ø Defamation law pose threat to Journalists: Speaking at a workshop in
Dili organised by the Timorese Journalists Association on Wednesday,
Father Martinho Gusmão, the Director of Justice and Peace Commission of
Baucau Diocese reportedly stated that the defamation law would make it
difficult for the citizens to express their opinions, particularly
journalists. Hence, he added, the society will lose its moral, social and
political control power to the democratic institutions. Speaking to
journalists at the sidelines of the workshop, President of the Journalist
Association said that he does not believe the law guarantees the freedom
of expression of the citizens. Instead, he added, it will protect those in
power. Meanwhile, Minister Antoninho Bianco stated that the law is to
protect the right of every citizen.

Regional Media Reports

On 30th Anniversary of Indonesian invasion of East Timor, ETAN calls
for Justice, Understanding of U.S. Role

John Miller, ETAN National Coordination for East Timor and Indonesian
Action Network.

"The CAVR's recommendations are essential to charting a course of
justice for the victims and provide a strong basis for reconciliation at
all levels," said Miller. "Although the people of East Timor
were the primary victims of the quarter-century of occupation that began
30 years ago today, such crimes against humanity victimize us all."

"The CAVR's findings provide important details and recommendations
about the tremendous suffering U.S.-supplied weapons inflicted on the East
Timorese people, suffering which was facilitated by U.S. political,
diplomatic and military support. The CAVR's account will help us realize
the horrendous impact of U.S. government policies throughout the
occupation," said Karen Orenstein, National Coordinator of ETAN.
"Clearly, the current administration has not learned critical lessons
from that period. Last month, the Bush administration steam-rolled over
congressional intent by issuing a waiver to allow unfettered U.S. support
for Indonesia's unrepentant military," added Orenstein.

On December 7, 1975, Indonesia launched its full-scale invasion of East
Timor only hours after U.S. President Gerald Ford and Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger gave the green light to Suharto, the Indonesian dictator.
The U.S. supplied nearly all weapons used. Declassified documents released
last week by the Washington-based National Security Archive (NSA) confirm
that several U.S. administrations understood that Indonesia intended to
invade East Timor, and that the invasion and occupation were rife with
human rights violations and catastrophic suffering. At the same time,
successive administrations concealed this information from Congress and
the American people. The NSA researched and obtained these documents to
assist the CAVR in its work.

The U.S. supplied 90% of the weapons used during the invasion. For the
24 years, from Ford to Clinton, successive U.S. administrations
consistently backed Indonesia's occupation, providing Jakarta diplomatic
cover and billions of dollars worth of weaponry, military training and
economic assistance. These actions resulted in the killing of many tens of
thousands of East Timorese civilians. "Since Timor's independence
referendum in September 1999, Washington has provided monetary and other
assistance to East Timor's reconstruction and development, but such aid
does not even begin to compensate the East Timorese people for the
suffering caused by 24 years of U.S. support for Indonesian military
occupation," said Miller. "Along with the CAVR, we agree that
the U.S. owes East Timor reparations."

The CAVR recommends reparations to victims from countries like the U.S.
which backed the occupation and from corporations which profited from
selling weapons to Indonesia during that period. ETAN advocates for
democracy, justice and human rights for East Timor and Indonesia. ETAN
calls for an international tribunal to prosecute crimes against humanity
committed in East Timor from 1975 to 1999 and for restrictions on U.S.
military assistance to Indonesia until there is genuine reform of its
security forces and full accountability for human rights violations. (Vanuaty
News)